Giveaway and Review: "Never a Gentleman"

As part of the "Never a Gentleman" blog tour, I have my review and a giveaway of 3 copies of the book, sponsored by Hachette!

"Never a Gentleman"
 by Eileen Dreyer

Publisher: Forever
Release Date: April 1, 2011

Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
 
Summary from goodreads.com:
HE HIDES HIS TRUE COLORS . . . Miss Grace Fairchild is under no illusions about her charms. Painfully plain, she is a soldier's daughter who has spent her life being useful, not learning the treacherous ways of the ton. She may have been caught in a scandal with society's favorite rogue, but how can she marry him when it means losing herself?
WHILE SHE HIDES HER TRUE SELF . . .
Diccan Hilliard doesn't know which of his enemies drugged him and dumped him in Grace's bed, but he does know the outcome. He and Grace must marry. To his surprise, a wild, heady passion flares between them. Yet Diccan is trapped in a deadly game of intrigue Grace knows nothing about. Will his lies destroy Grace just as he realizes how desperately he needs her? And how can he hope for a future with her, when an old enemy has set his murderous sights on them both?

 
My Review: 

It really bothers me to give this book such a low rating, but this kind of book isn't my style. I've seen many fantastic reviews of this book, I think it's one of those books that you either absolutely love or hate. Possibly the problem for me was that it was packaged as a mainstream historical romance. When I pick up a book like this, I want to read about two characters who love and respect each other. I also don't want to worry about disturbing bedroom scenes. This book broke both of those rules.

(slight spoiler ahead)

I read Dreyer's previous book, "Barely a Lady" and there was a red flag for me in that book because the hero gushed about romantic feelings towards his mistress. But I liked her dramatic writing style, so I decided to give this book a chance. But this book takes the mistress storyline to whole new level.

I was trying to give the mistress storyline a chance because I knew Diccan was being blackmailed into it. But then "the scene" happened, followed by how readily and eagerly Grace accepted it. When the characters have lost respect for themselves, then I lose respect for the story. I pretty much checked out of the book at that point. It was so far from anything I would want to read.

(end spoiler)

Grace was such a sad character with no self esteem, and she didn't make progress towards building her self worth. I have no problems with characters who are at a bad place in their lives or who have low self esteem, but they gain more self worth as the story goes on. These stories are inspiring to me. But Grace was painful to read about. For instance, in one scene, all Diccan did was enter the room and look at her. The thoughts that went through her head were along the lines of 'why does he hate me?' 'I can tell he hates my dress' and 'He thinks I'm so ugly.' (these are not exact quotes, they are what I remember). She got all of this from one look. I would sure hate to live inside her mind. How she reacts to "the scene" only reinforces how little she loves herself, and I hate to see women having to read about this. As a woman, I want to read about women being strong, or learning to be strong, and not blindly 'putting up with' and embracing a man who treats them terribly.


Main Characters: 1/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5

Setting: 3/5

Romance: 1/5

Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 5/5
Writing: 3/5



Bottom Line: I hate giving negative reviews, but that's how strongly I felt about this book. I have seen fantastic reviews of this, so I know some people are loving it, and I'm glad they are able to see it from a different place than I can. I just have a problem with the lack of love and respect that the characters have for each other and for themselves, as well as the poor attitude towards women.




GIVEAWAY RULES:

Hachette books has generously provided three copies of this historical romance for readers of my blog!

All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and leave a comment on this review with your email address! Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :) Also, if you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy
Extra Entries:
+1 Tweet this contest (leave link in comment)
+1 Post link in sidebar of your blog (leave link in comment)

Rules:
  • US and Canada only
  • No PO Boxes please
  • Must be a follower to enter
  • Extra entries are optional and can all be left in the same comment
  • Leave a comment with your email address
  • Books will be mailed out by Hachette
  • Must be 18 or over 
  • Ends Tues May 3
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

39 comments

  1. I am a follower and would love to be entered.

    robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Publicly following In the Hammock with Google Friend Connect {Cheryl F.} -- I would love to read Never a Gentleman :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!

    +1 Tweeted the giveaway

    +1 Linked the giveaway in sidebar, More Giveaways

    theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, this sounds complicated!
    I'm not sure I would like it either though I've seen great reviews for it too.
    In any case, thanks for all the honesty,

    ReplyDelete
  4. So sad! The cover is really beautiful, but sad to hear that the story wasn't. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I like that you gave your true feelings on the book.

    +1 Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/FullMoonBites/status/60409361436123136

    +1 On my side bar in contest/giveaways: http://fullmoonbites.blogspot.com/

    fullmoonbites@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would love to read this book.

    GFC follower: June M.
    manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. This book caught my eye. Now I am quite curious. Thanks for the giveaway and please count me in.

    rjofus AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I follow you via Google Friend Connect.

    I still really want to read this book, even though your review gives me pause :/

    Please enter me!

    ksmiley2[at]kent[dot]edu

    ReplyDelete
  9. Follower :)

    unpaintedportrait@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have actually only seen negative reviews, and I know that from the plot and all the spoilers I have read, that I would not enjoy it

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for the honest review! Would love to read it myself to see how I'll like it... please count me in for the giveaway!

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Looks good thanks I follow lisapeters at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. First.
    Thanks for the honest review. I appreciate honest reviews that give a low rating and explain why so much better than the high rating reviews.

    Second.
    I'm curious and I would like to enter the giveaway.

    reflectionsofabookaholic[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am a follower and would like to be entered.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  15. please enter me in the giveaway
    I am a follower

    tweeted http://twitter.com/elaing8/status/60475126759690240

    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  16. I've heard both good and bad on this book, and I'm looking forward to reading it to find out how it is for myself.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com
    GFC follower

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm sorry you didn't like the book. I have read mostly negative reviews on this one so far but I still want to try it for myself.

    GFC follower as apk1princess

    apk1princess(at)live(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for such a straightforward and honest review! I've read some mixed reviews for it. I'm still curious to read it (the plot looks like something I'd like) so please count me in.
    Follower :)
    thr[dot]distant[dot]light[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for the honest review! I a sorry it didn't work for you.
    This is not an entry.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm pretty sure I have this book in my TBR pile. It was on sale in Borders the last week it was open.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Aw, sorry to hear that this one wasn't to your liking. Still sounds like a decent read, and I may / may not give it a chance. I'd love to be entered in the giveaway.

    books[a]muggle-born.net
    I'm a follower. :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I would love to be entered to be entered to win this book. I'd be very interested in reading it.

    GFC follow as seriousreader

    Tweet http://twitter.com/#!/BookOwner/status/60835440923648001

    seriousreader at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Google follower, count me in!

    delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. based on your review it has my curious I haven't read too many with that type of storyline so I would like to see what I think.

    FOllower- BLHmistress

    vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. follow blog via GFC

    I would love to win Never a Gentleman!! I have Barely a Lady

    acouponaddict at charter dot net

    ReplyDelete
  26. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/nelricky/status/60978939576860672

    acouponaddict at charter dot net

    ReplyDelete
  27. not everybody likes the same things that okay you can only give what your opionon is.
    GFC follow rlrlaney
    rlrlaney@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Enter me please!

    lisa(at)onceuponachapter(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  29. honest review..I'd still like to try it
    gfc follower mk261274
    mk261274 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I like historical fiction and would like to try reading this book. Thanks for the honest review :)

    GFC Follower: Sakira
    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/SummersKris/status/61612913735106560
    Blog sidebar: http://writekris.blogspot.com

    Thanks,
    Kris
    elfdrop AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I am sad about your review. I have been dying to read this book and have entered for it several times. Please enter me for the chance so I can see for myself. Thanks.

    Mary

    Mary_Reiss @ hotmail.com
    Following GFC.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thank you for the giveaway!!
    GFC Shannon Johnson
    shannonjean14(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. vampireprincess2468@yahoo.com
    Follower

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm sorry to see this book rated so low. I usually enjoy Eileen's books! I'd love to win and give it a try though!

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thank you for the honest review and giveaway! I'd love to see if I agree or disagree with your opinions! :)

    shakespeareanlover1215@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thanks for the chance.
    GFC follower
    epblack at zoominternet dot net

    ReplyDelete
  37. Thanks for the contest
    gfc follower -ramblings of a part time druid
    raynekitten@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I have seen this book around and REALLY want to read it!!

    GFC follower- Megan Kyser

    amethystdaydreams at zoho dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Old follower!
    I'd love to win this one... :-)
    Wilirisros33@aol.com
    Yay!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for your lovely comments!